Chapter II. 



A LITTLE RABBIT HISTORY 



MUCH confusion is encountered when 

 we undertake to trace the history of 

 the Belgian hare, and many of the 

 other popular breeds. In the first place, the 

 Belgian hare and the other so-called hares in 

 captivity are not hares at all, but true rabbits. 

 Real hares are not easily domesticated, and 

 would be of little value in any event. The 

 Belgian hare probably was given that name 

 because in alert expression and general ap- 

 pearance it somewhat suggested the wild hare. 

 The differences between hares and rabbits arc 

 so marked that there is no ground for a mis- 

 take. Hares are born with their eyes open 

 and covered with fur. In a very short time 

 they are running about. Rabbits, on the other 

 hand, are born blind and naked. They remain 

 perfectly helpless for some days, and it is sev- 

 eral weeks before they become active. 



